Page 147 - Handbook of Electronic Assistive Technology

Chapter 5 • Alternative Access Technologies 135

FIGURE 5-22 myGaze Assistive 2 camera fitted to a tablet PC� Courtesy of SmartBox.

These eye-gaze computer control software applications offer features such as mouse
button control, where the user can select whether to click, double click or drag; zoom,
where the system will automatically zoom in on the locus of the users’ gaze, which
improves accuracy when accessing small targets; and shortcuts to access the computer
via eye-gaze. By using the computer control software, users can access any applications on
the machine regardless of whether they are ‘gaze enabled’ or not.
Alternatively, eye-gaze control can be built into the application software itself. This
approach allows the eye-gaze interaction to be better integrated and more transparent
for the user.

Applications of Eye-Gaze Systems

Communication
Eye-gaze can be used to access voice output communication software. Voice output com-
munication applications such as SmartBox Grid 3, Tobii Dynavox Communicator 5 and
PRC Unity are gaze enabled for access using eye-gaze cameras.

Computer Access
Eye-gaze cameras can access the computer or tablet for browsing the internet, employ-
ment, education or recreation.

Exploration and Early Learning
Eye-gaze cameras and applications can provide a learning, exploratory and assessment
environment for children and adults with learning disabilities and additional physical or
visual impairments. Users with multiple and profound learning difficulties have histori-
cally used switch and scan access, and recently eye-gaze has been proposed as offering a
more efficient method of access with lower physical demands.